Bush signed the Military Commissions Act today. We are now a nation that, officially, designates anyone we like subject to a kangaroo court in the name of national security; that tortures such designees in the name of national security; that allows hearsay evidence in the name of national security; that denies habeas corpus petitions in the name of national security. Bush has decided to vindicate nearly every America-hating leftist's rabid suspicions about the essential evil of our country. If we were to employ Doug Feith's logic, Bush and Noam Chomsky are allies.

But Bush is right about one thing:

''Over the past few months, the debate over this bill has been heated and the questions raised can seem complex,'' he said. ''Yet, with the distance of history, the questions will be narrowed and few."

Oh, yes, indeed, he is right about this.